Rick's resolution = Buy a .40+ calibered rifle

I'm looking for suggestions, I'd like to buy a rifle that can lob either lead or jacketed bullets of at least forty caliber with enough authority to kill anything in the eastern US. I guess that means I'm looking for something .41 Mag or bigger.

I already load .44 Mag so I'd thought about the Marlin 1895 but folks seem to have frequent problems with them and I hear they're not built for full tilt .44 Mag loads. A local store had one of those stainless / laminate Ruger 1-S in .45-70 that seemed like it'd be fun, but the stock was fugly and someone bought it anyway before I could go back to convince myself I needed it.

I'd even put a carbine barrel on my T/C Contender if I could find something that caught my attention. Decision, decisions, what's a mother to do?:D

http://www.realguns.com and check the article archives for the write up on the 1895

you'll be pleasantly suprised

Rick R

December 28, 2002, 11:34 AM

I goofed on the model , the 1894 is the gun they chamber for revolver cartridges, the 1895 is chambered for the big boys. I've heard the 1894 get's heartburn after a diet of heavy loads, the 1895 is supposed to be extremely strong.

I'm considering the Guide Gun, but I'm also looking for something else that has a bit more panache. One of the guys I work with has a GG but he put a big ole scope on it and sort of ruined the looks.

I saw a post where someone was in love with their .405 Winchester, and I wouldn't be adverse to using any of the older cartridges if they translate well to smokeless powders.

Rick

Bill St. Clair

December 28, 2002, 12:32 PM

So why not get an 1895 and shoot a real rifle cartridge? I love my Marlin 444P (http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/bigBore_levrAction/444P_PR.htm). Short, light, not much recoil, and will stop anything North America can dish out. I load it with 300 grain Hornady XTP hollow points. It was a toss-up for me between this gun and the .45/70 version. I bought the 444 because bullets are cheaper. In your case, an advantage of the 444 is that you can use the same bullets you use for your 44 magnum handgun.

One disadvantage of the 444 Marlin is that you can't afford to shoot commercial ammo. At over a dollar a pop, you really have to reload to afford to shoot it.

Frohickey

December 28, 2002, 12:53 PM

I already load .44 Mag so I'd thought about the Marlin 1895 but folks seem to have frequent problems with them and I hear they're not built for full tilt .44 Mag loads.

I would hope that the Marlin 1895 SHOULD NOT be able to handle full tilt 44Mag loads... because the Marlin 1895 is chambered for the 45/70Govt, not the 44Mag.

1895 are either 450Marlin, 444Marlin or 45/70Govt
1894 are either 357Mag, 44Mag, 45Colt or 41Mag
336 are mostly 30/30Win

If you take a look at Garrett Cartridges (http://www.garrettcartridges.com/products.asp), you will notice that they specifically say 'Use on modern Marlin rifles' for their hottest 45/70Govt loads.

The problem about lever action Marlins, is that you have to watch out for the maximum OverAllLength (OAL) of the cartridge to be able to load and feed the round. The SingleShot Rugers, you can really load to longer OALs.

If you're not in a hurry, EAA will be introducing a sidexside double rifle at the SHOT show in 45/70 for around $800 list. Yep, that's eight hundred dollars.
The devised a jack-screw system wherein one barrel is zeroed at the factory. The end user zeros the other barrel during the normal zeroing process. It should work in theory. I'll be giving one a try next year.
The only thing I don't like from my reading thus far is that it has automatic safeties and extractors rather than ejectors.
A regular blued Ruger No. 1 is a handsome rifle, but I agree the stainless steel laminate version isn't pleasing.

s&w 24

December 28, 2002, 02:31 PM

the winchester .405 cartrige is a smokeless round. You couldn't go wrong with ol' Teddy's lion medicine but good luck finding a new production 1895 win in that cartrige the few dealers I talked to have not been able to get as many as needed.

3 gun

December 28, 2002, 02:55 PM

Ruger makes several nice compact rifles in 44 mag. Bolt, lever, and semi. You may find what you want with them.

Rick R

December 28, 2002, 05:36 PM

I did some shopping around today, one local gunstore has a 25% off sale till 01-01-03 and a 45/70 GG would be $352.46.

The .444 has never been real popular around here, and a few of my hunting buddies had a day of infamy where several of them got arrested and a .444 played a part. I wasn't there but apparently it was a "bet ya can't hit that doe from here" "sure I can, watch this" kinda moment. Unfortunatly it was REAL unlegal to shoot antlerless deer at that point in time...

The .405 looks to be "way kewl" as my sons would say, but a grand for a lever gun is a bit beyond what I want to pay just now.

What ever I choose, I'm going to reload for it and shoot a lot of lead bullets.

Rick

mons meg

December 28, 2002, 07:18 PM

I kinda like the look of the 1895 Cowboy in .45-70. Long octagonal barrel, and holds like 9 cartridges. Why settle for the measly 4 rounds of the Guide Gun?! ;)

Rick R

December 29, 2002, 07:35 AM

Yes, I've seen the 1895CB and it's a purty rifle, but it'd be a nightmare negotiating some of our thickets and brushpiles carrying something that long. Then again, this rifle probably won't get used for hunting much, I'm to the point were I'm using a pistol for most of my hunting outings.

I see over on the Ruger Forum that they may come out with the Number 1-H (Ruger's "Tropical" rifle) in .405 Winchester. I always wanted a No.1, and a classic old caliber sounds like a hoot so that may be an option.

And finally the ballistics on that .444 are nearly identical to the .405 with brass and bullets being a whole lot more available...

Next year "Rick's Resolution" may be to stop buying big bore rifles! Thanks for the input guys.

cratz2

December 29, 2002, 05:58 PM

Originally posted by mons meg
I kinda like the look of the 1895 Cowboy in .45-70. Long octagonal barrel, and holds like 9 cartridges...

I couldn't possibly agree more... :D

Gewehr98

December 30, 2002, 12:13 AM

Is indeed a thing of beauty. And a delight to shoot. And it will shoot ANYTHING loaded in .45-70. Garrett Hammerheads, Buffalo Bore, Gewehr98 Brinks Truck loads, you name it. Just make sure you have a scope with enough eye relief. ;)

http://mauser98.com/rugerbench.jpg

s&w 24

December 30, 2002, 04:28 PM

one other thing to look at in comparing 444 marlin,45-70 and 405 win is that any bullets made for the 405 are only for the 405. With 45-70 and especialy 444 marlin some bullets are not going to show the rounds true potetial due to the design and construction of those bullets being for a diffrent velocity than the one your working with. This in my opinion is why 270 is regarded
so well in part because any bullet you puchase is based on the profomence of the 270 un like say 30 cal bullets.

Rick R

December 30, 2002, 05:50 PM

S&W 24,

Never thought of it that way, though I read somewhere you can use bullets designed for the .41 mag in reduced .405 loads. You couldn't prove it by me as I can't find ANY reloading data for the .405 online.

That being said a 1-H in .405 may be in my future, don't know what I'd be bashing with it here in WV, I may have to find some blaze orange safari clothes for deer season.

I stopped by the store having the sale today (and yesterday) (( and the day before)) and they still had four GG in stock. The manager is an old friend of mine and he drug all of them out without my asking to tempt me with the best stock. Loo and behold! the GG with the highest serial number didn't have ports at the muzzle! I know the ports cut recoil but they really increase the intensity of the muzzle blast and I worried about shooting lead bullets through a vented bbl.

Not anymore, that GG followed me home! Rick's got a big bore to play with now:D :cool: :D :cool:

Later folks, I'm headed for the range...

Rick

okeydoke

January 4, 2003, 12:53 AM

the .44 pistol, anyway? Moose are not hard to approach within pistol range, nor hard to down or track after being hit. The black bear is taken with dogs or over bait, so it also presents very close range shots. The 6" M29 .44 has taken every species that walks. Back in the .30's, Col Wesson took elk and grizzly with an 8" 357.

Rick R

January 4, 2003, 01:36 PM

Okeydoke

Nothing out East that I can't kill with my .44Mag/325gr@1250fps load. But with this interest in cloning you never know when someone is gonna lose their pet T-Rex :D

I don't "need" anything more than the .30-30 I first bought when I was fifteen years old. But if none of us had an interest in more than what we really needed we probably wouldnt' be spending way too much time on the Internet discussing our pet projects.

Part two of my quest just jelled today, I found a very nice Ruger 1-B in 7mm Mag. My barrel guy tells me that he ought to be able to put a 405 Win bbl on that with little or no problem. I'm thinking something slightly longer and lighter than the 1-H barrel. with a front sight but using my NEGC peep for times when I decide to go scopeless.

Gewehr98 is right a good #1 is a thing of beauty, mine may never make it to the woods once it's finished.

Later

Rick

LevelHead

January 4, 2003, 06:10 PM

Forget all that fancy stuff - get a Tromix! :)

http://www.tromix.com/

How's a ,458 SOCOM sound? Or a .50AE? It's all good with Tromix!

tex_n_cal

January 5, 2003, 01:25 AM

The Ruger #1-S in .45-70 is a neat, well balanced (and powerful) rifle. I hope they make it in the .405, not the heavier #1H.

Now to answer the original question, how about one of the Ruger carbines in .44? semi-auto, level, or bolt, they have it covered. Maybe not the most refined or finished guns, but stout enough to take any sane .44 mag load.

CampX

January 5, 2003, 03:31 AM

Any rumors on the .480 Ruger or .475 Linebaugh being chambered in a Marlin or Winchester? I think that would be an ass-whoopin close-in protection rifle....

Rick R

January 5, 2003, 10:18 AM

At first I was thinking of the .44 Mag rifle, but then I found the .45-70GG at a price I couldn't pass up. But, along the way I remembered that before I got into Tactically Correct weapons (AR's, HK's, things with big magazines and matte finishes...) I wanted to one day own a #1 in a classic old big bore caliber.

Thus, I'm about to send a lightly used #1-B off to a friend who's a gunsmith to become a #1-S/H hybrid of sorts in .405 Winchester. Plus, I've got the GG to play with, accessorize, learn to reload for...:D

I hear Winchester advertised their 94 in .480 Ruger last fall, but then dropped it before anyone really found out due to "lack of sales". Sounds like a real collector if you can find one;)

Rick

CampX

January 7, 2003, 12:12 AM

Dropped due to 'lack of sales'??? Man, I think that would be a hard hitter coming outta carbine length barrel. I have a '94 Large Loop in 44Mag, and it whacks. Actually, I bought it for my wife because she likes to hike and prospect in bear country, and it is a tiny little rifle, one she can handle easily.